Is he battling his reflection?

[Tygh]

I have my first piscene pet Herbert, and he is in a 3 gal Eclipse tank with a filter, but no heater, and temps for the past 3 days that he's been with me, he is extremely active. Despite a cold tank (I'm going to get a heater asap, but that won't be for a week) he is in near constant motion.

When I look in from an angle, I see a nearly perfect reflection of him against the insides of the tank. When I look straight on, I see no reflection. I'm just worried that his little betta brain is making him battle his own reflection. I'm going to post a youtube video of him, but any input on this would be helpful.

Submitted for your approval,
Tygh

[Abby]

Originally Posted by Tygh

I have my first piscene pet Herbert, and he is in a 3 gal Eclipse tank with a filter, but no heater, and temps for the past 3 days that he's been with me, he is extremely active. Despite a cold tank (I'm going to get a heater asap, but that won't be for a week) he is in near constant motion.

When I look in from an angle, I see a nearly perfect reflection of him against the insides of the tank. When I look straight on, I see no reflection. I'm just worried that his little betta brain is making him battle his own reflection. I'm going to post a youtube video of him, but any input on this would be helpful.

Submitted for your approval,
Tygh

My males tend to flare up at their reflections in the glass a lot

[Tygh]

But is it healthy? I imagine he's pumping out cortisol all over the place and is in constant stress. But oh it is PRETTY to see!

[Tygh]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeL9g7qxq6U

[Abby]

ok that just looks like hes interested. curious. see hews not flared up
this is my dastan flared up at a mirror on the out side of the tank:

[vilmarisv]

It's the tank light what causes the relection... you might want to turn it un the least possible to avoid stress and maybe even tailbiting.